Letter to Editor: Supporting unpaid carers

SUPPORTING UNPAID CARERS

Imagine being a carer for someone you hold close, being on hand to offer emotional and physical support no matter what time of the day or night. As this month we mark Carers Rights Day, I’d like to take a moment to tell your readers why we’re devoted to doing all we can to be there for those in a caring role.

Did your readers know that 6,000 people take on a caring responsibility every day? That’s equal to over 2 million per year.

Or that they save the economy an estimated £132 billion every year?

For everything carers give, we are absolutely resolute to be there in times of need.

Experience has taught us that many carers are steadfast in their devotion to their loved ones and that it is often the thought of not being there for those they care for that prevents them from taking some much-needed time off.

I work for Revitalise an incredible national charity that provides respite holidays for disabled people and carers at our three accessible respite holiday centres in Chigwell in Essex, Southampton and Southport.

As a charity we know that many carers would rather spend time together with their loved ones than time apart. That’s why our respite holidays give carers the chance to relinquish their caring duties and focus on enjoying precious moments with the person they care for once more.

If you would like to find out about Revitalise, our breaks, ways we may be able to support you, or if you would like to support us, please

call: 0303 303 0145 or visit:  WWW.REVITALISE.ORG.UK [1].

STEPHANIE STONE, REVITALISE